Okay folks, I need your guidance again. You convinced me to jump into digital with the D50. I LOVE it. But I have a real need to go macro with some stuff. In the old days I had THREE macros, the incredible 55, the 60AF and the unbelievable 105!! What a lens. Now my circumstances are more modest and I can't pop for those high ticket Nikon primes. Which budget lens can I use? Thanks again. Oh. Why use a C.Polarizer if I can do whatever I want with my sky on the computer?

what sort of budget are you looking at?

Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina all have some excellent nikon mount macros available. Sigma's cheapest good one is the 50mm f/2.8 EX, which is a good lens, albeit short in focal length.

Apart from that, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina's offerings in the 90-105mm range are all excellent lenses, affordable, and are easier to work with in my humble opinion. The new Tokina AT-X Pro 100mm f/2.8D AF Macro is really a great lens and the most compact of the group.

If you want something in the middle ground, Sigma now offers a 70mm f/2.8 macro, though it is significantly more expensive than the 50mm.

A polarizer has more uses than just the sky, and remember that most digital post processing has the potential to leave tracks, so to speak, so the better you do it in the original shot, the better off you are later.

I had the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 for a long time. It is one of the most highly rated lenses from any manufacturer and sells for a discount compared to the Nikon 105mm micro. I thought it was as sharp as any lens I've ever owned. I have the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 micro now (the Tamron broke after six years) and it is also very sharp and a good bit less expensive than the Tamron 90mm or the Nikon 105mm. The trade-off is that you losing working distance, so to get a close shot, you have to get closer, which doesn't work as well with animals. I got the Nikon 200mm micro a short time ago and haven't used it much yet, but it is too long -- except for hunting insects.

For the tight budget, I have heard good things about the Vivitar 100mm macro for just over $100. I've played with it and it seems really cheap and toy-like, but I hear the optics are good.

Thank you folks. Now I know where to look. Am happy to hear the comment about shooting it right in the first place. I keep hearing these comments about "fixing" everything later; super dooper computer imaging programs etc. and I keep thinking "what the heck, why not work to shoot it right to begin with?" Happy to hear others feel that way.
I will keep learning as I go.

I have the Sigma 105mm macro and it is a great lens. I would highly suggest it to anyone.

If I was on a budget, I would look at used lenses.

I would get the Sigma 150mm 2.8 EX . It just came out, $519.00 and It's getting rave reviews.
Easty UK (gallery member) shoots with this lense, his images are stunning.Check out his gallery.You'll see.
Rick

Did you consider extension tubes?